After Procedure

How Long Will It Take?

This depends on the extent of the melanoma and the type of surgery. Simple excision can take less than 1 hour.

Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. You may have some pain around the wound during recovery. Medication will help manage pain.

Postoperative Care

Return to have any stitches or staples removed when instructed.

Talk to your doctor about appropriate ways to protect your skin against sun damage. These may include using sun block and wearing protective clothing. You will also need to have regular skin exams to look for the return of cancer cells. Do self-exams to look for any new or changing moles.
Your doctor can show you how to do a self-exam.

Call Your Doctor

Contact your doctor if your recovery is not progressing as expected or you develop complications, such as:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills

Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site

Pain that you can't control with the medications you've been given

A new lump or discoloration in your skin

A change such as color, bleeding, itching, or growth in an already-existing mole, either at the surgical site or in a new location

Any other new or unexpected symptoms

If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Can we help answer your questions?

Wellmont Nurse Connection is your resource for valuable health information any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Speak to a Nurse any time, day or night, at (423) 723-6877 or toll-free at 1-877-230-NURSE.